Early last year, I wrote about Cold Sock Therapy, including its promoters and detractors. Since then I have heard from a couple folks who confirmed finding relief in this approach. To date, I haven’t tried it in full, but still may if something seems wrong, like an on-coming cold.
One night, thinking a sore-throat might be brewing, I attempted the therapy for (perhaps) half the night. More than likely, I did so encouraged by my own blog post. Turned out I was too hot to make it through the night, and had to remove the socks. Okay, so I didn’t have a sore-throat the following morning, but I may not have actually had one the evening prior either. My attempt didn’t even come close to questionable antidotal evidence.
In a way, Cold Sock Therapy is a type of cryotherapy. Cryo (from the Greek root ‘kryos’) means “icy” or “cold.” Hence, it makes sense that Cold Sock Therapy could fall under this category. It’s a mild remedy to nurse colds, upper respiratory issues and congestion (some claim for sinus problems). Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC) is a ‘whole’ other ball of cold wax.
I grant you that I hold some bias here. I don’t like cold. Further, the remote possibility of harm is substantial in my mind.
How is WBC done?
Becoming popular with athletes and celebrities a few years back, Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC) is mostly a severe training regimen. Developed in Japan in the late 1970s, the WBC ‘machines’ haven’t popped up as ubiquitously as Starbucks, but they have become somewhat popular. Hopefully (in my view), there will be a rare few local places where you might “take advantage” of this uncomfortable, perhaps unsafe and definitely expensive “treatment.”
Further, since some of the hype promotes “slow aging,” I figured it would be valuable to address it. I remain open to many alternatives, but this is not a healing cure I would favor for aging with pizzazz.
WBC involves being “bathed” in liquid nitrogen or refrigeration, sometimes at minus 200 degrees Fahrenheit (that’s about 125 degrees below zero in Celsius). The person wears minimal clothing, thus no cozy, artic-explorer outfit here. The participant is then helped into a tank or closet-like area to partake in the ultimate cold shower.
Guidelines often require a posted notice that WBC is “NOT FDA approved.” Often followed by further clarification that “it’s not used to treat, cure or prevent any diseases. Rather it is used to assist the body in maximizing its innate self-healing abilities.”
Admittedly, if the research does one day find evidence scientifically supporting WBC for seniors, I’m still not taking part. So keep that bias in mind as you read on.
The bitter-cold therapy lasts between 2-4 minutes, although some states regulate no more than 3 minutes. The price for the short session (which does not include re-entry like a sauna as it is definitely restricted to once/day) is often in the $60-120 range.
Why do People Partake in WBC?
Not all the supposed advantages of WBC are documented, but people are swayed and tempted by word-of-mouth. Some of the beneficial claims include enhancing appearance, slowing aging, shedding weight, reducing pain, improving sleep, reducing stress and boosting athletic performance. No doubt, the experience causes a temporary “rush” of feeling energized (but then so would a snort of cocaine).
Realize this is not localized use of cryotherapy like ice packs. That common type of ‘icing’ causes blood vessels to constrict, which then reduces blood flow to the area, and in the process alleviates pain, swelling and inflammation. Localized cryotherapy is effective and proven. It’s a standard protocol with clear short-term benefits. Additionally, the type of ‘cryo’ that is used in local ‘surgery’ to remove lesions (like skin tags or such) and which also uses some liquid nitrogen to freeze the area, is not in the camp of WBC. These spot-therapy approaches have scientific evidence, and more importantly few dangers.
In my life, I don’t insist that scientific evidence be clearly established before trying a remedy, as long as it makes me feel better. However, there is an important caveat; that being “as long as it is safe.” I will risk results being “ineffective,” but not danger.
Is there Danger with WBC?
In 2015, a Las Vegas owner of a small facility decided to ‘treat’ herself to a treatment after the clinic closed for the evening. 24-year old Chelsea Patricia Ake-Salvacion was found by her employees the next morning. It was determined that she died of suffocation, although other risks from the cold (like confusion) may have added to the accident. This incident has led to new guidelines for such facilities.
I am certain that some proponents of WBC roll their eyes regarding the one death being reported over and over as a sign of WBC danger. After all, people die all the time from rock-climbing, scuba diving, paragliding, motor racing and a myriad of other activities. Still…………..
I’ll start with a risk that may sound a bit benign, the enclosed tank or closet can cause panic attacks, claustrophobia anxiety or as mentioned above suffocation. Some newer ‘spas’ offer a room for multiple people, like a sauna type area, so claustrophobia is less of a worry in that situation. Otherwise, if I wanted to risk claustrophobia, why not a flotation tank where at least there is warm, buoyant, relaxing water. Frost bite is not out-of-the-question with WBC either, to which gold-medal sprinter, Justin Gatlin can attest. So much for assuming it is totally safe for healthy athletes.
Hypothermia is probably the biggest concern. We might imagine that particular result happens only through long-time exposure to cold, longer than 3 minutes. Well, maybe not so. For some of us, we might be pushing our luck. When we experience hypothermia (a dropping of the body temperature) it can slow the brain, breathing and heart. It can trigger abnormal heart rhythms and heat attacks. Additionally, confusion can set in (as well as memory loss) creating decreased ability to detect changes in your condition and to act accordingly.
Who Needs to Avoid WBC?
Whole Body Cryotherapy is risky enough that certain states have set up guidelines including some of the following.
No one should use WBC machines for the 3-minute therapy who is:
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- Under 18 years old
- Pregnant
- 5’ tall or shorter
- Already had treatment that day
Additionally, some of the guidelines include (or reference) that no one should proceed with WBC who has a history of:
- High Blood Pressure
- Seizures
- Stroke
- Claustrophobia
- Pacemaker
- Venous thrombosis
- Raynaud’s Syndrome
- Bleeding disorders
- Anemia
- Certain infections (kidney, urinary tract, myocardial or even cold allergy)
Because there is not a widely-accepted certification in WBC or training on the machines, procedures (thus safety) may also vary. I am guessing that most of us would not receive the same level of care or treatment (in multiple ways) as celebrities like Jessica Alba, Jennifer Aniston, Daniel Craig, Lebron James, Alicia Keyes, Lindsey Lohan, Demi Moore, Kate Moss, or Justin Timberlake. I also imagine that many of these folks would swear by the results. Nevertheless, even if WBC was much less costly, I’d have to say “pass.” If the hot fashion of this cold fad fades, perhaps some of these celebs will pass it up as well.
FINAL THOUGHT
There are many options for activities that advance our quest not just to age, but to age with pizzazz, comfort and quality of health. Indeed, so many of these choices exist that we can’t even cover them all in a place like the Aging with Pizzazz blog, dedicated to just such things.
For me, I admit I won’t be joining the polar bear club and I am not crazy about the cold. Still, I’d like to encourage us just to decide that WBC might be too risky (and not that fun or comforting) for seniors. It gets no smiley-face from me.
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Title picture: Photo by Hans-Jurgen Mager on Unsplash
